Armed robber takes 3 hostages at Hwy. 138 Family Dollar

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By Clayton News Daily Digital

Riverdale, Georgia — A Florida man was arrested Thursday night after he allegedly held three employees hostage at the Ga. Highway 138/Highway 85 Family Dollar just south of Riverdale.

Terry Deleon Dean, 45, reportedly entered the store with the intent to rob and held his gun on three people inside, at one point binding two employees with zip ties. The two managed to escape and called for help, while the store manager remained held hostage.

What followed was a standoff with Clayton County police, sheriff's deputies and SWAT members that ended in Dean's surrender.

He was booked into the Clayton County Jail after 3 a.m. Friday. According to the Clayton County Sheriff's Office, Dean is a convicted felon currently on federal probation.

"During the standoff, Dean discharged his 9 mm firearm four times, shooting out a front window of the store," the Sheriff's Office stated in a public advisory. "It is believed he was shooting at officers on scene."

After negotiations with Clayton County SWAT, Dean reportedly agreed to exit the building unarmed. The Sheriff's Office said he pushed the store manager in front of him as he walked out of the discount store "out of fear of being shot."

He is being held on charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, two counts of armed robbery and two counts of aggravated assault, as well as criminal damage in the first degree and a weapons charge.

"We want to commend the sheriff's deputies and police officers that handled this incident, for not only the excellent police work, but consistent unparalleled team work," the Sheriff's Office said.